Cinema VinesIn a recent interview on comedian Kunal Kamra’s YouTube channel, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap explained why he has kept his distance from the June 2026 release of Bandar, a film starring Bobby Deol that has ignited controversy over its depiction of sexual assault. Kashyap admitted that the version shown in theatres is not the one he intended to present, and that the changes made during editing have altered the film’s message in a way he cannot endorse.
During the conversation, Kashyap said he avoided giving any interviews about the movie because the final cut differed from his vision. He warned Kamra not to watch the film, explaining that “when I said don’t watch, it’s because I can’t own up… If you noticed, I didn’t give any interviews on the film. Because whatever came out is not my final cut.” Kashyap added that the criticisms the film has attracted are valid, as the changes made after shooting have shifted its tone and perspective.
According to the director, the core issue lies not in what he filmed but in what was removed. He noted, “Cinematically, everything else is pretty much mine… but they changed it by taking something out. Thus, the perspective has been changed. The tilt has changed a little bit.” Kashyap stressed that the editing decisions have fundamentally affected the outcome of the movie.
In discussing the broader industry context, Kashyap blamed corporatisation for eroding creative control. He said that rising costs and delays often force filmmakers to cede authority to studios, which ultimately decide which version is released. He recalled a past era when producers backed projects because they believed in the story, sometimes risking everything they owned, contrasting it with today’s focus on commercial viability and the dominance of a few major studios that limit opportunities for independent films.
Despite Kashyap’s disavowal, Bandar has drawn praise for Bobby Deol’s performance, alongside co‑stars Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi and Saba Azad. The film follows a fading star accused of sexual assault, a narrative that has sparked debate over its portrayal of misogyny and its impact on the #MeToo movement.
